What is a cover letter anyway? Back in the '80s, applications had to be printed out and delivered to the employer. Instead of just giving a CV, it made sense to add a cover to it… And on the cover, applicants included a letter. This was the one chance to get an application noticed.
Geraldine Kwenda, SouthSouthNorth "I read a lot of cover letters and what I have found from the ones that stand out is that they highlight: how the individual’s achievements relate to the role; how their skills and work experience contribute to what we need; originality; knowledge of and enthusiasm for our organisation; and lastly, a personalised cover letter."
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Why does it matter? A CV can only tell a recruiter what you did, not how you did it. Whilst the CV is the outlines, you use the cover letter to provide colour to the picture. A cover letter gives you the space to introduce yourself as more than just a list of qualifications and positions. It gives you the opportunity to explain what makes you uniquely qualified for the position.
Charles Musto, SOLIDitech “Your cover letter gives us an indication of how well you communicate (so check your spelling and grammar), what you think your strengths are (be honest) and what your ambitions are (are you ambitious and goal driven).”
EMPLOYER INPUT
Now, not everyone even asks for one, but it still is expected by most companies. It gives the employer a concise introduction into your world without having to page through your application. In short, it tells them who you are and why that should matter to them. EMPLOYER INPUT
Employers go through hundreds of applications, and very quickly! But one of the first things they look at is your cover letter, so make sure you create a great first impression.
